Education Specialist in Educational Leadership

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Educational Specialist (EDS) in Educational Leadership is a professional degree
program for qualified candidates who do not have a specialist or doctoral degree and
who are pursuing clear, renewable leadership certification in Georgia (PL-6). The
“Certification Only” program is for candidates who already possess an EDS or EDD,
but do not have leadership certification. The program can be completed in as few as
three (3) or as many as five (5) semesters, depending on the candidate’s preference.

Unlike traditional programs, the majority of coursework in the performance-based leadership
program occurs in the candidate’s school. Of the twenty-seven (27) hours in the EDS
program, eighteen (18) are residency, in which course meetings and course work are
performed at the candidate’s school site. Each candidate has an individualized leadership
plan, which is negotiated each semester between university faculty, the candidate,
and a school-identified mentor. These plans identify authentic, meaningful projects
that the candidate will complete within the school and on which he or she will demonstrate
mastery of course material. All eighteen (18) hours of the “certificate only” program
are performed in residency.

APPLICATION AND DOCUMENT DEADLINES

This program accepts applications in Fall, Spring and Summer; the deadlines are:

Fall July 1; Spring November 1; Summer April 1.

See the list of available start terms and document deadlines here. Please note that completed applications and all required credentials must be submitted by the posted deadline.

Transcripts - Official transcripts from EACH College and/or University you have attended. Must be in a sealed envelope from the
institution or sent electronically from the institution directly to ksugrad@kennesaw.edu.

Resume or Professional Vitae - Can be uploaded into the online application. Should document your education, years of teaching experience, current school and
district, volunteer and service activities in which you have participated, and any
leadership involvement. Resume MUST reflect at least FOUR years of professional teaching or administrative experience prior to admission consideration.

Superintendent Endorsement Form - You can find the Superintendent Endorsement form here.

Employment - By PSC regulation, candidates must be referred for admissions by their respective
schools/districts, and Kennesaw State University must hold a Performance-Based partnership
with the referring district. For a list of partners, click here.

Interview - An interview may be required. If so, you will be contacted by the program to set
up an interview.

Notes:

You must be classified by your school district as being in a "leadership role."

Agreement that your school district agrees to "support" you in this program (please
check with your HR department for more information).

Have a minimum of four (4) years of teaching or administrative experience.

Please submit all application materials to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Their
contact information, including mailing address, can be found here.